9mm - 115, 124 or 147gr
- Thread starter jackrabbit000
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
I would say 124gr.. but that's me it seems to be more consistent across both my guns.. point of aim and hit area etc.
heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
I like 147gr but im also gaming it to get as little powder as possible in the ammo and still make power factor
Clearly you aren't entirely versed in the nuances of 9mm ammo. There is a significant difference in how the recoil feels from these weights, and in some guns the gun cycles reliably with one bullet weight, and not so much with the other.
To the original op, 124 gr is the most popular, but if the 147 gr functions your gun reliably and you are happy with the recoil impulse, then go with that if its in stock. I like the snappier recoil in the 124 gr myself, some guys download the 147's to a lower amount of powder to still make power factor etc.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Does anyone know what weight the standard German military load was for 9mm Luger pistols? I have a Luger that was damaged once years ago by shooting ammunition that was +P heavy bullet stuff meant for submachine guns. We only found out it was inappropriate after bad accuracy and then a broken extractor made us question what was going on.
I've never tried 147gr before but Cabela's had lots of it in stock for $14.99. I'm going there this afternoon so I'm going to pick up 4 boxes to test. I've read that it's the most accurate of the 3 weights. Hardly ever see 124gr there and it seems like it's always sold out.
One source claimed:
"As designed and loaded for Georg Luger by DWM (Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken), the bullet was an 8g (123gr.) 278F Flachspitzengeschob (conical point solid) bullet loaded into the 480C Parabellum cartridge case."
That's consistent with my prior sources. Velocity unspecified in that source.
I believe the US SAAMI spec nominal velocity for the 9mmx19 cartridge is currently:
115g - 1190 ft/sec
124g - 1120 ft/sec
If you're reloading, you should use published data from a reputable source.
I like Winchester Super Field for standard pressure 115g and 124g 9mmx19 reloading.
"As designed and loaded for Georg Luger by DWM (Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken), the bullet was an 8g (123gr.) 278F Flachspitzengeschob (conical point solid) bullet loaded into the 480C Parabellum cartridge case."
That's consistent with my prior sources. Velocity unspecified in that source.
I believe the US SAAMI spec nominal velocity for the 9mmx19 cartridge is currently:
115g - 1190 ft/sec
124g - 1120 ft/sec
If you're reloading, you should use published data from a reputable source.
I like Winchester Super Field for standard pressure 115g and 124g 9mmx19 reloading.
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
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There are also +P and +P+ commercial loadings, and NATO-spec loadings that are higher pressure / higher velocity.
I've also seen Canadian Forces supply chain lot-select the lower-velocity lots of 9mm NATO for pistols and the higher-velocity lots for SMG's.
I've also seen Canadian Forces supply chain lot-select the lower-velocity lots of 9mm NATO for pistols and the higher-velocity lots for SMG's.
I think its always sold out because its the most popular, sells fastest.
At the distances pistols are generally used....i.e. 25-30 yards and under, there would likely be little measurable distance in accuracy. The second shot followup would certainly be different between the two because the recoil impulse is completely different and will affect muzzle flip.
Assuming you're talking about punching paper/cardboard/dinging steel, some bullet designs (for a specific weight) will deliver better accuracy than others.
Whether you'll realize that accuracy will also be determined by operator skill, sights, barrel and trigger quality too.
The uniformity of the projectile bases are a major determining factor in accuracy, since that is the last part of the projectile that
is in contact with the barrel before it is released on it's way to the target. (Which is why a uniform barrel crown is also important).
It is easier to form uniform projectile bases on projectiles in manufacturing by utilizing a hollowpoint design,
which is why most match-grade projectiles for rifle and pistol are hollowpoints.
I've gravitated to the 125g Hornady Action Pistol (HAP) projectile in 9mmx19.
There are other high-quality match-grade accuracy projectiles made by other manufacturers.
The HAP is interesting, as it is the same basic design as their XTP projectile, but they omit the manufacturing steps
that add cuts near the nose to facilitate expansion. (Not needed for target projectiles).
That reduces the retail price on the HAP versus the XTP.
http://www.hornady.com/store/HAP-Hornady-Action-Pistol/
Hornady sells them as loaded ammunition too (Steel Match), as does long-time vendor Wilson Combat.
I don't recall seeing any of those ammunition products being offer for sale in Canada - too bad.
ht tp://shopwilsoncombat.com/9mm-Bill-Wilson-Signature-Match-125-gr-Hornady-HAP-1075-FPS-5-Barrel-100_Box/productinfo/A9-125-HAP/
"The Signature Jacketed Match 9mm load has been extensively tested in 1911 style and other high-performance firearms and is the most accurate 125 grain 9mm ammunition available. We guarantee the Bill Wilson Signature Jacketed Match to shoot 25 yard, ten-shot groups through a fixed barrel testing device of under ONE-HALF (1/2) INCH-GUARANTEED."
Whether you'll realize that accuracy will also be determined by operator skill, sights, barrel and trigger quality too.
The uniformity of the projectile bases are a major determining factor in accuracy, since that is the last part of the projectile that
is in contact with the barrel before it is released on it's way to the target. (Which is why a uniform barrel crown is also important).
It is easier to form uniform projectile bases on projectiles in manufacturing by utilizing a hollowpoint design,
which is why most match-grade projectiles for rifle and pistol are hollowpoints.
I've gravitated to the 125g Hornady Action Pistol (HAP) projectile in 9mmx19.
There are other high-quality match-grade accuracy projectiles made by other manufacturers.
The HAP is interesting, as it is the same basic design as their XTP projectile, but they omit the manufacturing steps
that add cuts near the nose to facilitate expansion. (Not needed for target projectiles).
That reduces the retail price on the HAP versus the XTP.
http://www.hornady.com/store/HAP-Hornady-Action-Pistol/
Hornady sells them as loaded ammunition too (Steel Match), as does long-time vendor Wilson Combat.
I don't recall seeing any of those ammunition products being offer for sale in Canada - too bad.
ht tp://shopwilsoncombat.com/9mm-Bill-Wilson-Signature-Match-125-gr-Hornady-HAP-1075-FPS-5-Barrel-100_Box/productinfo/A9-125-HAP/
"The Signature Jacketed Match 9mm load has been extensively tested in 1911 style and other high-performance firearms and is the most accurate 125 grain 9mm ammunition available. We guarantee the Bill Wilson Signature Jacketed Match to shoot 25 yard, ten-shot groups through a fixed barrel testing device of under ONE-HALF (1/2) INCH-GUARANTEED."
I personally understand the differences, but the average shooter that plinks on the weekends will not. That's all I was getting at. In times like these, I shoot what's available at the time. Beggers can't be choosers, lol
heavenIsAlie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Abbotsford
I have found that peopple easily feel the difference between 115gr and 124gr, even if they havent shot much but 124gr to 147gr not so much.
Typically the 115g loadings are supersonic, whereas the 124 usually are not, and the 147g definitely are not.
Of course, there is also the different in slide velocity profile, so the felt pattern to the recoil impulse is different too.
Of course, there is also the different in slide velocity profile, so the felt pattern to the recoil impulse is different too.
